A two-day conference aimed at encouraging proactive dialogue regarding education on development and intercultural issues was held last week.
You, Me and Diversity, organised by Development and Intercultural Education (Dice) explored its themes through workshops, poster presentations, research and reflective questions.
Dr Jones Irwin, a lecturer in Philosophy and Education at St Patrick’s College, presented the keynote speech based on education between ethics and religion.
He highlighted several issues associated with non-denominational schools, noting that “secularism is not necessarily anti-religious but sees religion as a ‘non-public’ matter”.
He also asked: “Is there a desire for nondenominational schools in Ireland? Could ignorance of religion foster prejudice in children? Is secularism another form of religion?”
One of the workshops, jointly presented by Deirdre O’Rourke and Sandra Ryan, o Mary Immaculate College and Aoife Titley of Dice, explored the main causes and ways of combating prejudice against the Traveller community.
Speaking at the end of the first day, independent intercultural trainer Maura Gallagher said the conference offered a unique perspective on different issues.
Gallagher said that more conferences about development education and intercultural education were needed “because the issue of diversity and multiculturalism is getting more and more practical”.
She added: “At the beginning it was theoretical. The conference is more practical because it is getting more people to share their knowledge. More practical ideas emerged at the workshops.”
Gallagher urged the organisers to expand the conference to include the private and public sectors so that there would be “a necessity for change”.
“Both sectors should take interest because it would be for their own interest,” she said.
